Natural childbirth

After doing a lot of reading and thinking, I'm pretty sure I want a natural childbirth (no drugs, no epidural). Now that I've made that decision, I'm actually looking forward to the birth as a trial of my training and will rather than with the fear and anxiety I had before.

Anyway, any other mothers out there thinking along the same lines? Or any mothers out there who have had natural childbirths and want to share their pointers, tips, etc?

I'm finding I'm meeting with some resistance from friends and family (some of whom are men, or women who've never had kids!) and I sure could use a little advice, support, and idea of what to expect.

After doing a lot of reading and thinking, I'm pretty sure I want a natural childbirth (no drugs, no epidural). Now that I've made that decision, I'm actually looking forward to the birth as a trial of my training and will rather than with the fear and anxiety I had before.

Anyway, any other mothers out there thinking along the same lines? Or any mothers out there who have had natural childbirths and want to share their pointers, tips, etc?

I'm finding I'm meeting with some resistance from friends and family (some of whom are men, or women who've never had kids!) and I sure could use a little advice, support, and idea of what to expect.

I have heard from a good friend and my cousin who both have 2 kids, they both had drugs the first time and went natural the second time. They both said that Natural was better for them. Yes it did hurt more but they were able to feel and they healed faster and had less pain after. I am going to try to have a natural birth, but if I need to have pain medication I will not be mad at myself. This is my first child also! Good luck and have a healthy and happy rest of your nine months!!Â

I have heard from a good friend and my cousin who both have 2 kids, they both had drugs the first time and went natural the second time. They both said that Natural was better for them. Yes it did hurt more but they were able to feel and they healed faster and had less pain after. I am going to try to have a natural birth, but if I need to have pain medication I will not be mad at myself. This is my first child also! Good luck and have a healthy and happy rest of your nine months!!Â

I would definitely suggest having a labor support person - either a hired doula, or a trusted friend who has had a natural childbirth and believes in your ability to do it too!

I started out planning a natural birth with my first and went drug free until I had to have a spinal for a c-section. Even with 4 hours of pitocin I didn't cave in to drugs, which was pretty tough, I'm not going to lie. If you have a hospital birth, be prepared to repeatedly tell them you do not want drugs. Even though it was in my birth plan, I was asked 5 times before they got the picture. Â A birth center would definitely be a better option for natural birth IMO.

I read the hypnobirthing book - there were no classes nearby - and practiced relaxation/meditation fairly regularly for the last half of my pregnancy. That helped tremendously. I liked a lot of the imagery suggested in that book and used it during contractions.Â

I plan on trying for an unmedicated VBAC this time around too. Â Good luck!

I would definitely suggest having a labor support person - either a hired doula, or a trusted friend who has had a natural childbirth and believes in your ability to do it too!

I started out planning a natural birth with my first and went drug free until I had to have a spinal for a c-section. Even with 4 hours of pitocin I didn't cave in to drugs, which was pretty tough, I'm not going to lie. If you have a hospital birth, be prepared to repeatedly tell them you do not want drugs. Even though it was in my birth plan, I was asked 5 times before they got the picture. Â A birth center would definitely be a better option for natural birth IMO.

I read the hypnobirthing book - there were no classes nearby - and practiced relaxation/meditation fairly regularly for the last half of my pregnancy. That helped tremendously. I liked a lot of the imagery suggested in that book and used it during contractions.Â

I plan on trying for an unmedicated VBAC this time around too. Â Good luck!

I think for me, as long as I don't need a c-section, or have my water break and fail to progress I'm going to attempt drug-free. I was going to do the same with my DS but unfortunatly 30 hours after my water broke they decided I needed intervention because of the risk of infection.

I think for me, as long as I don't need a c-section, or have my water break and fail to progress I'm going to attempt drug-free. I was going to do the same with my DS but unfortunatly 30 hours after my water broke they decided I needed intervention because of the risk of infection.

You are so lucky to have that option and whatever you choose will be amazing either way because at the end you will have a beautiful baby. With my first two babies I was just too scared and I had the epidural. With my third pregnancy I had started considering trying natural childbirth. Then my DS was breech and came early so I didn't get any options. They did a rush c-section. Now I am pregnant with twins and I am getting no options. I have to have a repeat c-section. I have been watching the baby story show a lot and seeing how the moms who choose natural childbirth deal with it. I will give you a little advice I have picked up from that show. Stay strong, remember your breathing, and if you have to have pain medication don't feel like a failure. Also stay open. I saw a woman completely break down because they told her she had to have a c-section for the baby's safety. It tore her to pieces that she couldn't have natural childbirth. I wish you lots and lots of luck!!!!

You are so lucky to have that option and whatever you choose will be amazing either way because at the end you will have a beautiful baby. With my first two babies I was just too scared and I had the epidural. With my third pregnancy I had started considering trying natural childbirth. Then my DS was breech and came early so I didn't get any options. They did a rush c-section. Now I am pregnant with twins and I am getting no options. I have to have a repeat c-section. I have been watching the baby story show a lot and seeing how the moms who choose natural childbirth deal with it. I will give you a little advice I have picked up from that show. Stay strong, remember your breathing, and if you have to have pain medication don't feel like a failure. Also stay open. I saw a woman completely break down because they told her she had to have a c-section for the baby's safety. It tore her to pieces that she couldn't have natural childbirth. I wish you lots and lots of luck!!!!

I still haven't decided. I like the idea of a natural birth but not sure about how it will be in practicality. Everyone's labor is so different so it's hard to tell if I can handle it when I don't know how bad it will be for me.

I think what I'm planning at this point is to tell them to let me know at the last point I can get an epi. That way, I can either ask for it before or I can decide at that point if I can handle the rest of it without one. Would just like to know at the point of no return I think, so I don't try asking a few minutes too late :) (or be worried about it being too late at any point, I think it's easier to hold out if you know you have an out, at least for me).

I still haven't decided. I like the idea of a natural birth but not sure about how it will be in practicality. Everyone's labor is so different so it's hard to tell if I can handle it when I don't know how bad it will be for me.

I think what I'm planning at this point is to tell them to let me know at the last point I can get an epi. That way, I can either ask for it before or I can decide at that point if I can handle the rest of it without one. Would just like to know at the point of no return I think, so I don't try asking a few minutes too late :) (or be worried about it being too late at any point, I think it's easier to hold out if you know you have an out, at least for me).

Just be open to what happens. I was all for natural childbirth. But I went a week past my due date and at my 41 week appt found out I was low in fluid, so I drove myself straight to the hospital to start induction (there goes the no drugs out the window). I had cervadil from 2 pm on thursday till 2 am on friday to ripen my cervix. I had mild contrax the whole time. At 2 am friday, they started me on pitocin and I was only 4 cm dialated after having a catheter bulb inserted to help me dialate more quickly. Around 6 PM on friday, I was so exhausted I finally broke down and got staydol which was supposed to take the edge off. It made me feel like I was high and I wasn't close to fully dialated at all, so when that wore off, I finally gave in to the epidural around 8 PM on friday. It helped to relax me and make things progress more quickly than they had been doing on their own. Finally at 2 am on saturday I gave birth to my daughter. I plan to attempt all natural again, but I will just go with the flow. DH thinks I am crazy (and he thought it the first time to), but I know what I want!

Just be open to what happens. I was all for natural childbirth. But I went a week past my due date and at my 41 week appt found out I was low in fluid, so I drove myself straight to the hospital to start induction (there goes the no drugs out the window). I had cervadil from 2 pm on thursday till 2 am on friday to ripen my cervix. I had mild contrax the whole time. At 2 am friday, they started me on pitocin and I was only 4 cm dialated after having a catheter bulb inserted to help me dialate more quickly. Around 6 PM on friday, I was so exhausted I finally broke down and got staydol which was supposed to take the edge off. It made me feel like I was high and I wasn't close to fully dialated at all, so when that wore off, I finally gave in to the epidural around 8 PM on friday. It helped to relax me and make things progress more quickly than they had been doing on their own. Finally at 2 am on saturday I gave birth to my daughter. I plan to attempt all natural again, but I will just go with the flow. DH thinks I am crazy (and he thought it the first time to), but I know what I want!

I had a natural birth, and I agree with a pp. Have a support person, like a doula or someone who has been through it and can coach you. I had a doula and my mother, and both were invaluable sources of strength and support! Otherwise, I recommend childbirth classes of some kind to prepare you and give you tools for your labor. That was also very helpful to me! Good luck to you :)

I had a natural birth, and I agree with a pp. Have a support person, like a doula or someone who has been through it and can coach you. I had a doula and my mother, and both were invaluable sources of strength and support! Otherwise, I recommend childbirth classes of some kind to prepare you and give you tools for your labor. That was also very helpful to me! Good luck to you :)

I had an epi with my first two mainly because I was scared of the pain I kept hearing about. With both deliveries I felt the urge to push but no pain and remember every detail about both. My third I opted for the epi but 5 minutes after I got the epi the nurse checked me and I could feel everything. At that point I was at 9 and was taken by shock at the pain that all of a sudden came back. I didn't have time to get control of myself and come to terms with no epi before I had to start pushing. I honestly remember only one thing about his birth and that was the nurses telling me not to close my legs!!! Haha. Anyways this time around i am opting for epi. You know your body best, what you can handle and what is best for you!!!!! Listen to you heart you will know what to do.

I had an epi with my first two mainly because I was scared of the pain I kept hearing about. With both deliveries I felt the urge to push but no pain and remember every detail about both. My third I opted for the epi but 5 minutes after I got the epi the nurse checked me and I could feel everything. At that point I was at 9 and was taken by shock at the pain that all of a sudden came back. I didn't have time to get control of myself and come to terms with no epi before I had to start pushing. I honestly remember only one thing about his birth and that was the nurses telling me not to close my legs!!! Haha. Anyways this time around i am opting for epi. You know your body best, what you can handle and what is best for you!!!!! Listen to you heart you will know what to do.

For me, I went natural with my first 2, and with #3, I was induced and wanted an epidural almost as soon as the pitocin was started. It is so different to be induced than for labor to progress naturally. So I guess have an idea in mind for what you would prefer, but be open to what you will need.

For me, I went natural with my first 2, and with #3, I was induced and wanted an epidural almost as soon as the pitocin was started. It is so different to be induced than for labor to progress naturally. So I guess have an idea in mind for what you would prefer, but be open to what you will need.

I am a first timer, but my goal is to with out drugs. I have multiple sclerosis so I am nervous to have an epidural being that one of my symptoms has been numbness in the legs. Knock on wood I have been doing good with no major issues outside of normal pregnancy symptoms.

I also did some research and I read that most woman who have a natural birth do not need the doctor to use assistance such as a vaccume or forceps. Mainly because without the drugs you have a better feel for pushing and so on...

However, I have told my hubs that if the pain is beyond too much then i do not oppose having an epidural. I hope to be at home for most of the labor. =)

I am a first timer, but my goal is to with out drugs. I have multiple sclerosis so I am nervous to have an epidural being that one of my symptoms has been numbness in the legs. Knock on wood I have been doing good with no major issues outside of normal pregnancy symptoms.

I also did some research and I read that most woman who have a natural birth do not need the doctor to use assistance such as a vaccume or forceps. Mainly because without the drugs you have a better feel for pushing and so on...

However, I have told my hubs that if the pain is beyond too much then i do not oppose having an epidural. I hope to be at home for most of the labor. =)

I had to have a c-section with my first because he was breech. I never felt one contraction not even the Braxton hicks. So, i feel like a first time mom in regaurds to labor. I am hoping to go natural with a vbac. Like ladykatala my plan is to do it for as long as I can and just have them tell me the point of no return and make a choice from there. I am just staying flexable about the whole thing because I might not get a choice. Good luck!

I had to have a c-section with my first because he was breech. I never felt one contraction not even the Braxton hicks. So, i feel like a first time mom in regaurds to labor. I am hoping to go natural with a vbac. Like ladykatala my plan is to do it for as long as I can and just have them tell me the point of no return and make a choice from there. I am just staying flexable about the whole thing because I might not get a choice. Good luck!

I've had 2 natural births and one with a epi. My first was with the epi and I won't do it again. My last 2 were painful but I felt I was in control of my labor. I could feel when I needed to push and got up right away after giving birth. No one tells you what can go wrong with an epi. Your blood pressure can drop, babies hb can drop, not feel pushing and end up with a csection. So I would encourage a natural birth. That's just my opinion and experience I've had. Hope this helps

I've had 2 natural births and one with a epi. My first was with the epi and I won't do it again. My last 2 were painful but I felt I was in control of my labor. I could feel when I needed to push and got up right away after giving birth. No one tells you what can go wrong with an epi. Your blood pressure can drop, babies hb can drop, not feel pushing and end up with a csection. So I would encourage a natural birth. That's just my opinion and experience I've had. Hope this helps

I really wanted to but I eventually got the epi. In fact, my pitocin induction was so painful that I thought I'd only gone for 30 minutes before begging for the epi. It was actually 4 hours but time seems to stop. I'll try again to go as long as possible (hopefully all the way) this time, especially if I begin to labor on my own this time.

I really wanted to but I eventually got the epi. In fact, my pitocin induction was so painful that I thought I'd only gone for 30 minutes before begging for the epi. It was actually 4 hours but time seems to stop. I'll try again to go as long as possible (hopefully all the way) this time, especially if I begin to labor on my own this time.

Your reading reveals that your BFP news comes the month of August from a cycle that begins in July. The baby shows as a girl and her EDD/birthdate is referenced around the 21st and 22nd of April 2011.

From:
donewiththis

To: ALL

Posted: Oct-08 08:42 PM (18 of 25)

I have done it three ways. I had an epidural with my first, my water broke with no progression with my second so I had oxytocin but no pain meds, he was only 7 pounds so it wasn't that bad, then with my third I did it with no drugs at all. He was eight and a half pounds and posterior so it was very painful! All in all i'd say it was worth it. I wanted to go natural with my first but I couldn't do it. The thing that helped me the most was my husband knowing pressure points. When you have a contraction he pushes on them and it helps SO much! Good luck to everyone! I plan on going natural again this time because the recovery is so much faster!

I have done it three ways. I had an epidural with my first, my water broke with no progression with my second so I had oxytocin but no pain meds, he was only 7 pounds so it wasn't that bad, then with my third I did it with no drugs at all. He was eight and a half pounds and posterior so it was very painful! All in all i'd say it was worth it. I wanted to go natural with my first but I couldn't do it. The thing that helped me the most was my husband knowing pressure points. When you have a contraction he pushes on them and it helps SO much! Good luck to everyone! I plan on going natural again this time because the recovery is so much faster!

I wanted to do natural with my first. I was ok even with the pitocin until they broke my water. I was scared about was happening and gave into the epidural. It made it so much easier! I couldn't move or breath even with contractions. The second I had to have a csection because she was breech. I'm going the csection route with this one after my doctor recommended it.

I wish you all the luck with going natural, I wish I could have done it. If it gets too unbearable don't be afraid or disappointed that you ask for an epidural. Everyone is different and goes through labor differently. And pain tolerance plays a part too!

I wanted to do natural with my first. I was ok even with the pitocin until they broke my water. I was scared about was happening and gave into the epidural. It made it so much easier! I couldn't move or breath even with contractions. The second I had to have a csection because she was breech. I'm going the csection route with this one after my doctor recommended it.

I wish you all the luck with going natural, I wish I could have done it. If it gets too unbearable don't be afraid or disappointed that you ask for an epidural. Everyone is different and goes through labor differently. And pain tolerance plays a part too!

All 3 of my boys were natural childbirth (meaning no epi or pain meds). The first two were unfortunately pitocin assisted. UGH! Pitocin is a drug the use to strengthen the contractions. It was very painful but I still was able to endure without an epi or meds. My third was a waterbirth. I was so surprised that natural (no pitocin) was bearable!! The pain was so much less without the pitocin!! My labor experience was AWESOME!! I will definitely do natural again and will not let them touch me with pitocin. The key to going natural is your breathing. If you can breathe (deep cleansing breaths) through the contractions you can do it. Good luck!! You should think about a midwife or doula or someone to help you like a pp said.

All 3 of my boys were natural childbirth (meaning no epi or pain meds). The first two were unfortunately pitocin assisted. UGH! Pitocin is a drug the use to strengthen the contractions. It was very painful but I still was able to endure without an epi or meds. My third was a waterbirth. I was so surprised that natural (no pitocin) was bearable!! The pain was so much less without the pitocin!! My labor experience was AWESOME!! I will definitely do natural again and will not let them touch me with pitocin. The key to going natural is your breathing. If you can breathe (deep cleansing breaths) through the contractions you can do it. Good luck!! You should think about a midwife or doula or someone to help you like a pp said.

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